Politics & Government
Mayor, City Leaders Get Residents' Frustrations, Fears and Ideas on Crime
Southeast Atlanta demands answers amidst rising crime.
EAST LAKE — Flanked by a crush of top police brass and various agency heads of his administration, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed addressed residents of Southeast Atlanta Monday night and pledged his continued commitment to their quadrant of the city and to rein in crime.
Reed, who is running for reelection to a second term, made a point of telling the packed gathering at Drew Charter School he wasn't avoiding constituents south of I-20 and that their concerns — crime in particular — is a concern to him no matter where it occurs.
Every time a serious crime occurs in the city, "I hear about it," Reed said.
"I care about it. When you all tell us that there's something important, we listen and we do something about it. I came tonight to listen."
He also touted what he saw as successes with respect to crime since he took over in January of 2010:
Some 30 new police graduates hit the streets throughout the city last week, and Atlanta Police Chief George N. Turner said another two classes of recruits — some 60 new officers in total — are expected to be sworn in my January of 2014.
In addition, the Atlanta Police Department's Zone 6, which includes East Atlanta, Kirkwood and East Lake, has a new commanding officer, Maj. Timothy Peek.
Despite those highlights, however, Southeast Atlanta has seen its share of crime increase this year.
Indeed, with the exception of aggravated assaults and larcenies, which have fallen roughly 16 and 15 percent, respectively, crimes in Zone 6 have all increased.
The four unsolved homicides in East Atlanta this year alone represent a 33 percent increase in the period between Jan. 1 and July 27, compared with the same period last year.
Auto thefts in Zone 6 this year, which stood at 590 through July 27, are up about 24 percent, while the 234 robberies represent an increase of about 34.5 percent.
Residential burglaries — 464 so far — have soared roughly 76 percent.
"There's something going on in Southeast Atlanta that needs to be addressed," Reed said. "We have seen a level of violence that is unacceptable to me."
The level of crime prompted him to call Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong, whose District 5 include many of the neighborhoods that comprise APD's Zone 6, to set up Monday's town hall.
"It was time for me to sit with you to hear what you are experiencing and then to tell you that, fortunately, the city is strong enough to actually respond to what you're feeling."
Residents peppered the mayor on a variety of public safety and related issues, ranging from repeat offenders and juvenile justice to police conduct incorporating seniors and retirees in community efforts to reach youth.
Please see some of the highlights in the attached video.
Did you go to Monday's meeting? What did you think of what the mayor said? Tell us the comments section below.
Reed, who is running for reelection to a second term, made a point of telling the packed gathering at Drew Charter School he wasn't avoiding constituents south of I-20 and that their concerns — crime in particular — is a concern to him no matter where it occurs.
Every time a serious crime occurs in the city, "I hear about it," Reed said.
"I care about it. When you all tell us that there's something important, we listen and we do something about it. I came tonight to listen."
He also touted what he saw as successes with respect to crime since he took over in January of 2010:
- Violent crime citywide has fallen 18 percent.
- A police force of more that 1900 — the highest in department history.
- Murders, which reached 200 in some years, hasn't exceeded 95 a year since 2010.
- Reopening all of the neighborhood community centers and partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta to give teens alternatives to mischief and criminal activity.
Some 30 new police graduates hit the streets throughout the city last week, and Atlanta Police Chief George N. Turner said another two classes of recruits — some 60 new officers in total — are expected to be sworn in my January of 2014.
In addition, the Atlanta Police Department's Zone 6, which includes East Atlanta, Kirkwood and East Lake, has a new commanding officer, Maj. Timothy Peek.
Despite those highlights, however, Southeast Atlanta has seen its share of crime increase this year.
Indeed, with the exception of aggravated assaults and larcenies, which have fallen roughly 16 and 15 percent, respectively, crimes in Zone 6 have all increased.
The four unsolved homicides in East Atlanta this year alone represent a 33 percent increase in the period between Jan. 1 and July 27, compared with the same period last year.
Auto thefts in Zone 6 this year, which stood at 590 through July 27, are up about 24 percent, while the 234 robberies represent an increase of about 34.5 percent.
Residential burglaries — 464 so far — have soared roughly 76 percent.
"There's something going on in Southeast Atlanta that needs to be addressed," Reed said. "We have seen a level of violence that is unacceptable to me."
The level of crime prompted him to call Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong, whose District 5 include many of the neighborhoods that comprise APD's Zone 6, to set up Monday's town hall.
"It was time for me to sit with you to hear what you are experiencing and then to tell you that, fortunately, the city is strong enough to actually respond to what you're feeling."
Residents peppered the mayor on a variety of public safety and related issues, ranging from repeat offenders and juvenile justice to police conduct incorporating seniors and retirees in community efforts to reach youth.
Please see some of the highlights in the attached video.
Did you go to Monday's meeting? What did you think of what the mayor said? Tell us the comments section below.
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